Victory veteran Archie Thompson wants his cameo in Australia’s victory over Saudi Arabia to be a springboard for the rest of the Hyundai A-League season.
Victory veteran Archie Thompson wants his cameo in Australia’s victory over Saudi Arabia to be a springboard for the rest of the Hyundai A-League season.
The 33-year-old striker was still buzzing at Thursday morning’s training session after his substitute-appearance for the Qantas Socceroos on Wednesday night, although he admitted to some soreness.
“Well after last night, my gramps could have done better out there today but look I’m still on a high after last night,” Thompson said.
“They said to me this morning, ‘Archie just take it easy’ but I wanted to get out there.”
Thompson came off the bench to replace James Troisi after 62 minutes of the World Cup qualifier against the Saudis and was on the pitch as Australia scored three goals in four minutes to clinch a 4-2 victory.
The livewire forward was involved in the lead-up to two of the goals and hopes that performance, as well as the impressive 90 minutes from club team-mates Harry Kewell and Mark Milligan, can kick-start Victory in their last four games of the season.
“All year we’ve been saying on paper we’re one of the strongest teams in the league and the performances haven’t warranted that,” Thompson said.
“But we’ve got our own fate in our own hands and we’ve just got to go out there and win.”
Victory have to play Newcastle, Sydney, Wellington and Perth in the final four rounds and Thompson reckons a perfect run will ensure a top-six finish and a chance to make a statement in the finals.
“The football we’re starting to play is great and hopefully we can get Harry and Millsy … right for Saturday and like I said I’m confident we can put on a good performance and obviously win these next four and see what happens from there,” Thompson said.
No other Hyundai A-League club had three players picked by Qantas Socceroos’ manager Holger Osieck on Wednesday night.
That stat underlines the disappointing nature of this season’s form from the two-time Hyundai A-League double winners and Matthew Foschini reckons that four straight wins is the least Victory supporters deserve after a tough season.
“We’ll be going out this week against Newcastle, play our hardest, do what we’ve been trying to implement all season and try and get the three points and finish off the season strong,” Foschini said.
“If that means we make the six, it does, if not, then we focus on next year.”
